The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-11-02
TORPEDO FISH.
The ELECTRICITY in Them Win Knock
O Man Down.
How a Savannah Athlete Tried to Pick Ono
Up on Bet-Thc Shocks Iuvcstl-
gated by Scicntists-Curious
Results Shown.

On the beach of Tybec, the Other
day. an old fisherman in oilskins was
unloading boat that had been full Of
fish, when y lusty young man clad in
white trousers and white flannel
Shirt. met the old fellows eye
"You look like y likely hcfter.
called cut the old fisherman, his hands
aud arms meanwhile falling to the
perpendicular and merry twinkle
taking possession of his eyes
IA likely what?" rather Indignantly
rcioined the youth.
IA likely heftcr-a chap who cap
lift heap" was the reply.
Eyes; am considered pretty strong
in the Savannah Athletic Club" was
the answer.
DID you ever lift much fish?" asked
the old fellow, throwing huge netful
of thinkers on the dock, and looking
his companion over with q critical
eye.
Il never saw the fish l couldn't
lift"
The fisherman thrust his hand into
his pocket, from which, after violent
struggle and much invective, he hauled
out very fat, light leather pocket
book, that was closed with a strap and
piece of rope-yarn. He took from it
clean ten-dollar bill and said: I'm
going on eighty zone years old next
muster day, but I'll bet you ten dol
lars even you can't lift fish that /
can"
where's your fish?" asked the
youth.
"Well, I'll tell you. Here's q fish,
and he poked among the thinkers and
pointed to large, solid and skate
like fish in the bottom of the dory.
'Let's see; it's about five foot up to
the dock. I'll bet Won the ten dollars
you can't toss the fish up there"
81 don't want to take your money
replied the young man. magnanimous-
ly, as q number of spectators drew
around. But if you've got q half a
dozen of the fish, string 'em all to-
gcther and give me something worth
doing. I've lifted 500 pounds before
breakfast"
"Ol,, yes I've heard tell of you,
said the old man, somewhat warmly.
'You're the man that ate piece oi
rubber hose for breakfast, and didn 4
find out it wasn't sausage till some
body told you. See that thumb-nail'''
he asked, holding up curious stub
with horny growth upon it. "Wcll'
served prentice once to a box
maker, and used to put in all the
screws with that nail, and pull ZEN
out with my teeth when they broke
eff You know me, and I'll stick to il
you can't heave that fish up to the
dock, and there's the money
The Savannah athlete, thus called
upon, deposited ten dollars with
well-kn own gentleman who had joined
tie party, and went down the ladder
into the boat, while the old fisherman
climbed up on the dock to watch thu
feat.
Stand back there" shouted TIN
boss tosscr. rolling up his sleeves
This fish might hit you, old man
and knock some of the blow out Q
YOU"
'Hcavc away" responded the ma
in oil-skins. tipping a wink at tn
crowd in general.
The young man now stepped int
the dory and poked away the tinkers-
small mackcrel-that were sliding
about. Standing on the edge OF tn
boat he stopped down. graspcd tn
skate-like fish and lifted, raising
about foot. Then, uttering vel
he staggered moment and fell wit
resembling splash into the wate
nearly capsizing the boat in accon
rlishing the feat. which was receive
with shouts of laughter from the dock
the old fisherman fairly dancing
hornpipe on the rail.
whats the matter with You?'
shouted, as the unfortunate athlet
scrambled into tho dory again, swoa
Ing like u pirate. Trying to ups
the boat are you9"
"Who struck me7 Somebody ga
me knock on the neck just rs ! W
lifting"
Nonsense" cried nearly evel
man in the crowd. "You WASH
touched"
III take my oath ! felt some'hii
hit me. If this is q skin game wa
10 know it," Bracing himself firm
in the boat, he again grasped the fl
with both hands and raised it thr